Schmitt had a bumpy ride from the moment he was appointed by the governor. He faced heavy criticism for his controversial views on global warming and environmentalists.

State Sen. Linda Lopez, who chairs the rules committee, said Schmitt met with her earlier this week and refused to sign off on the second part of a routine background check. That part is focused on finances and credit history.

?You cannot chose one or the other. Essentially, he has said no to a background check,? Lopez said. ?None of the other prior secretaries, or other nominees that Gov. Martinez has put forward (refused.) They?ve signed both.?

Action 7 News tried to catch up with governor Thursday, but no one from her office would go on camera. Later in the day Martinez released a statement.

?Sen. Schmitt was willing to allow a private investigator to access his personal information, but he was not willing to waive that investigator?s liability for any improper actions or use of that information,? said the statement from the governor.

Lopez said Schmitt had no problem signing off on a criminal background check, which is conducted by the Attorney General?s office.

The governor said her administration will move swiftly to find a replacement for Schmitt.